"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in
faith and in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
Sometimes we need a reminder that we're never too young-or old-to be used by God. Sometimes we just need a reminder that He can plain use us at all. During our meeting Sunday the question of the night was "Why not me?"
Look at some of the people in the Bible-young and old. Wasn't Abraham, 100, and his wife Sarah, 90, before God gave them their son Isaac? How about David when he killed Goliath? Wasn't he just a young boy? The difference between these men and women and us? Faith. God can use any of us! It's our faith that seems to get in the way.
Reading through the Bible there are SO MANY examples of ordinary men and women whose lives were drastically changed when they chose to follow God's plan for their lives instead of their own. The people in the Bible weren't superheroes. Why were they written about? Maybe God wanted to leave us with examples of what can happen when we choose to believe Him?
I'm not talking about missionaries or pastors either, I'm talking about you and me. 1 Peter 2:9 says we are His chosen people-no specific people in there named. It's up for grabs. Any of us who believe can be used.
I found this great commentary in my Bible I'll end with. It's based on Hebrews 12:1-3
"The "great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1) refers to the roll call of the faithful just given in Hebrews 11, from Abel to Samuel and the prophets. These spectators are watching the race of our lives, cheering us on as we actively live out our faith. The historical record we have of their lives-their faith even to death, their perseverance through the most difficult trials, their successful completion of the race-is like a loud shout of encouragement to us as we run our race.
Think of the passion and excitement of a crowd at a large sporting event. That's just a fraction of the power behind us. Imagine Sarah and Rahab clapping wildly. Picture Abraham, Moses and David shouting encouragement. Those who have already won the race are enthusiastically supporting us in our bid for the prize..."*
As I told the girls Sunday night, let's walk out on that plank in faith, faith like those examples left for us in the Bible. It's scary. But once we're out there, oh the things God is going to do with our lives! I think I can hear Sarah and Rahab cheering for us now...
Lea :)
**Women of Faith Study Bible-NIV
faith and in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
Sometimes we need a reminder that we're never too young-or old-to be used by God. Sometimes we just need a reminder that He can plain use us at all. During our meeting Sunday the question of the night was "Why not me?"
Look at some of the people in the Bible-young and old. Wasn't Abraham, 100, and his wife Sarah, 90, before God gave them their son Isaac? How about David when he killed Goliath? Wasn't he just a young boy? The difference between these men and women and us? Faith. God can use any of us! It's our faith that seems to get in the way.
Reading through the Bible there are SO MANY examples of ordinary men and women whose lives were drastically changed when they chose to follow God's plan for their lives instead of their own. The people in the Bible weren't superheroes. Why were they written about? Maybe God wanted to leave us with examples of what can happen when we choose to believe Him?
I'm not talking about missionaries or pastors either, I'm talking about you and me. 1 Peter 2:9 says we are His chosen people-no specific people in there named. It's up for grabs. Any of us who believe can be used.
I found this great commentary in my Bible I'll end with. It's based on Hebrews 12:1-3
"The "great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1) refers to the roll call of the faithful just given in Hebrews 11, from Abel to Samuel and the prophets. These spectators are watching the race of our lives, cheering us on as we actively live out our faith. The historical record we have of their lives-their faith even to death, their perseverance through the most difficult trials, their successful completion of the race-is like a loud shout of encouragement to us as we run our race.
Think of the passion and excitement of a crowd at a large sporting event. That's just a fraction of the power behind us. Imagine Sarah and Rahab clapping wildly. Picture Abraham, Moses and David shouting encouragement. Those who have already won the race are enthusiastically supporting us in our bid for the prize..."*
As I told the girls Sunday night, let's walk out on that plank in faith, faith like those examples left for us in the Bible. It's scary. But once we're out there, oh the things God is going to do with our lives! I think I can hear Sarah and Rahab cheering for us now...
Lea :)
**Women of Faith Study Bible-NIV